Method and apparatus for fastening of inflatable ride surfaces

ABSTRACT

A system, apparatus, and method for constructing or providing a ride surface for an amusement attraction, such as an inflatable surfing attraction. The ride surface may be formed via the connection of a plurality of ride surface portions or segments. A mechanism may be incorporated to smooth the ride surface and define a more continuous ride surface between the plurality of ride surface portions or segments.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/350,833, filed on Nov. 14, 2016, now, U.S. Pat. No. 10,335,694, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/254,631, filed on Nov. 12, 2015, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FORFASTENING OF INFLATABLE RIDE SURFACES,” each of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Water attractions (e.g., waterslides, surfing slides or machines,boogie-boarding slides, etc.) are a popular entertainment activityduring periods of warm weather. Conventional water attractions have beencommonly made of fiberglass or other rigid or semi-rigid materials thatprovide a smooth and slippery surface for supporting a flow of waterthereon to transport a rider from an entrance to an exit. A variety ofdifferent types of ride vehicles (e.g., inner tubes, body boards, surfboards, floatation devices, etc.) have been used by the rider as therider travels along the water attraction and may support the rider asthe ride vehicle slides along the riding surface.

One type of water attraction that has proven a popular lure for patronsto water or other amusement parks or venues is the surfing machine orsimulator. These machines may be used both for entertainment purposes aswell as training purposes for helping instruct individuals that may bewary or otherwise unable to surf out in the open ocean. Conventionalsurf machines have utilized water pumps cooperating with one or morewater delivery components (e.g., nozzles, sluices, jets, etc.) to flow asheet or layer of water over a variety of surfaces and allow riders toskim atop the water flow. A riding surface of the conventional surfmachine is typically a rigid or semi-rigid, low-friction surface thatsupports maneuvering by riders upon a conventional or modified surfboardor boogie board (individually and collectively referred to as a“board”). However, users without much surfing experience, either in theocean or upon surfing machines, commonly fall off of the board duringinitial attempts at using the surfing machine and the surfaces of theseapparatuses can make uncomfortable contact with a rider upon the rider'sfalling off of their board.

Particularly at competition or sports venues (e.g., surfingcompetitions, BMX competitions, etc.) located outdoors, such as at ornear the beach, surfing simulators have increasingly been in demand as afun and revenue-generating activity for potential patrons. Surfingsimulators also provide onlookers with an additional activity to engagein while present at the venue or event. Unfortunately, given therelatively short duration that many competitions extend, some lastingonly a few days in duration, permanent installation of surfingsimulators at those locations is not feasible. While some mobile surfingsimulators have been developed, the comparably long and typicallycomplex assembly and/or disassembly procedures, oftentimes takinggreater time than the entire duration of the event itself: makes suchdevices undesirable to many potential event holders or organizers. Theseconventional simulators commonly utilize a large number of componentparts that require vast numbers of shipment containers for theirassembly, adding significantly to the cost associated with transportingand assembling the simulators at a desired geographic location.

As the sheet flow or standing wave product (collectively “surfingmachine”) market becomes more popular, water venues increasingly look tonew surfing machines that can provide novel experiences to riders orthat are less expensive or time consuming to install. Moreover, as thesurfing industry becomes more sophisticated and the influence of extremesports becomes more popular, more extreme standing waves created by suchsurfing machines are desired in order to satisfy the thrill anticipatedby these new generation of users, both adults and children alike.However, issues of durability and wear-and-tear can be significantproblems in systems made to be both comfortable for users to landthereon and also to support fast-moving and/or pressurized flows ofwater. As such, improvements in manufacturing and/or connection ofelements, such as ride surfaces or other sections of these rides, haveincreasingly become desired.

Moreover, as new surfing machines are developed, maneuverability, ridercomfort, cost, and efficiency in assembly/disassembly should beadequately addressed and improvements to ensure cost effectiveness,particularly in the mobile water attraction market, is desired. Ridercomfort and/or improvements to rider maneuverability would also bedesired. Ideally, a surfing attraction would be inexpensive to constructand/or transport, quick and/or easy to assemble and/or disassemble, andwould allow a rider to make contact with the surface of the waterattraction, for example, upon falling off of a ride vehicle, withminimal discomfort In an ideal surfing attraction, one or more componentparts may be shipped as separate components and connected to form alarger riding surface while still maintaining a durable surface withimproved wear-and-tear characteristics.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates generally to amusement attractions, suchas surfing simulators or other wave machines. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to mobile surfing attractions that incorporateone or more sections, such as ride sections or surfaces, for connectionwith one another to form a larger section or surface.

A water attraction using inflatable materials is disclosed that isconfigured to be constructed of multiple segments or components forshipment or manufacture and are subsequently connected with one anotherto form a larger surface.

In one embodiment, a system for connecting a ride surface may include afirst ride surface portion having an extrusion with a first matingsurface disposed beneath a plane extending along a top surface of thefirst ride surface portion and a second ride surface portion having areceptacle with a second mating surface disposed beneath the planeextending along the top surface of the first ride surface portion, thereceptacle configured to receive at least a portion of the extrusion.The first mating surface and the second mating surface may be configuredto mate together when the extrusion is at least partially received bythe receptacle for connecting the first ride surface portion with thesecond ride surface portion.

In another embodiment, a water ride may include a first attractioncomponent having an extrusion with a first mating surface disposedbeneath a plane extending along an exterior surface of the firstattraction component, a second attraction component having a receptacleconfigured to receive the extrusion when the first attraction componentis adjacent to the second attraction component, a nozzle for providing aflow of water over the first attraction component and the secondattraction component, and a fastening mechanism extending over at leasta portion of the first attraction component and the second attractioncomponent for preventing the flow of water from making contact with theextrusion or the receptacle.

In still another embodiment, a system for a ride surface of a surfingattraction may include a ride surface material, a sheet configured tosurround at least a portion of the ride surface material, a waterdelivery component for providing a flow of water onto the sheet, and asupport configured to mate with the sheet, wherein the flow of water isconfigured to flow over the sheet without making contact with the ridesurface material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the artupon examination of the following figures and detailed description. Itis intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.Component parts shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale andmay be exaggerated to better illustrate the important features of thepresent invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals designatelike parts throughout the different views, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a ride surface of a surfingor other water or fluid attraction made up of a plurality of componentsaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of a ride surface of a surfingor other water or fluid attraction made up of a plurality of componentsaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-section side view of a ride surface of a surfing orother water or fluid attraction made up of a plurality of componentsaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a ride surface of a surfing or otherwater or fluid attraction made up of a plurality of components accordingto one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-section side view of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes referenceto the accompanying drawings and pictures, which show the exemplaryembodiments by way of illustration and its best mode. While theseexemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable thoseskilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understoodthat other embodiments may be realized and that logical and mechanicalchanges may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented forpurposes of illustration only and not of limitation. For example, thesteps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may beexecuted in any order and are not limited to the order presented.Moreover, any of the functions or steps may be outsourced to orperformed by one or more third parties. Furthermore, any reference tosingular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than onecomponent may include a singular embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a ride surface 100 of asurfing or other water or fluid attraction. The ride surface 100 may bemade up of a plurality of components. Although the below descriptionfocuses upon the ride surface 100 of an attraction for the purposes ofillustration, other sections and/or surfaces of an attraction or otherdevice (e.g., entertainment structure) may use one or more of the novelconcepts discussed herein in alternative embodiments.

In one embodiment, the ride surface 100 may be a surface configured tohave a flow of fluid (e.g., a sheet-flow of water) disposed thereon suchthat one or more riders may perform water skimming or surfing maneuversupon the ride surface 100 and/or upon the flow of water. The ridesurface may be fully or partially inflatable (e.g., made of adrop-stitch or other inflatable material) that may provide foradditional comfort for a rider in the event that the rider loses balanceand falls upon the ride surface 100. An alternative embodiment may beany form of surface that would benefit from a secure connection of oneor more components while providing increased durability or resistance towear-and-tear, particularly from a flow of fluid that may be disposedthereon during operation. For example, padding and/or foam materials,whether or not inflatable, may benefit from the secure connection ofsurfaces as described herein in alternative embodiments.

As illustrated, during manufacture and/or shipment, the ride surface 100may initially be made up of a plurality of discrete components, forexample, a first ride surface portion 102 and a second ride surfaceportion 104. During setup or installation of a water attraction, such asthe previously-mentioned surfing attraction, the first ride surfaceportion 102 may be positioned near and/or adjacent to the second ridesurface portion 104. Such installation may be performed on-site at thelocation where the attraction is intended to be used or at any of avariety of alternative locations (e.g., a manufacturing or installationlocation and subsequently transported to the location where theattraction is intended to be used). Once two or more portions areconnected together, as discussed in greater detail herein, asubstantially contiguous and larger ride surface 100 may be made up ofboth the first ride surface portion 102 and the second ride surfaceportion 104.

However, absent special manufacturing techniques (e.g., melting orotherwise mixing of the two components), there exists a small gap 106between the first ride surface portion 102 and the second ride surfaceportion 104. It may be desirable to limit the effect of any such gap inorder to create the ride surface 100 with as smooth and/or continuous ofan upper surface as possible (e.g., so that water flowing over a topsurface of the first ride surface portion 102 and/or water flowing overa top surface of the second ride surface portion 104 does notundesirably become turbulent at the mating edge or junction of the firstride surface portion 102 and the second ride surface portion 104).

Moreover, due to the flow of water or other fluid thereover, fastenersthat are disposed along the top surfaces of the first and second ridesurface portion (102, 104) may encounter disruptive forces due to suchfluid that begins compromising their ability to successfully mate thefirst and second ride surface portions (102, 104) together. To combatthis durability concern and/or other issues mentioned above, the firstride surface portion 102 includes a fastening element that is disposedbeneath a plane 105 that extends along a surface (e.g., a top surface)of the first ride surface 102. Similarly, the second ride surfaceportion 104 includes a fastening element that is disposed beneath theplane 105 that extends along a surface (e.g., a top surface) of thesecond ride surface portion 104. For example, either or both of thefirst and second ride surface portions (102, 104) may be manufacturedwith a “cut-out” (e.g., receptacle or cut-out 131) and/or acorresponding extrusion (e.g., extrusion 132) at a level beneath theplane 105, for example, that comprises a part of their perimeter or topsurfaces. Any of a variety of cut-outs and corresponding extrusions maybe used in varying embodiments.

The above connection between the first ride surface portion 102 and thesecond ride surface portion 104 allows for one or more matings 120 atthe gap 106 of the first and second ride surface portions (102, 104)beneath the plane 105 that extends across the top surface of the ridesurface 100. In certain embodiments, the mating 120 may also oralternatively occur at the plane 105 (e.g., flush with the plane 105).Thus, using the matings 120 described above, water or other fluidflowing over the top surface of the ride surface 100 will be lessinclined to exert a disruptive force upon the mating 120 of the firstand second ride surface portions (102, 104). In one embodiment, themating 120 may be performed by way of Velcro or other loop-and-pinclosure fastening elements. In another embodiment, any of a variety ofpossible fastening elements disposed below an upper or top surface ofthe ride surface 100 may be used (e.g., adhesives, brackets, screws,bolts, etc.) such that a secure connection is made beneath the plane105.

In certain embodiments, as illustrated, an additional fasteningmechanism 110 may be provided over the gap 106 (or otherwise inalternative embodiments) to aid in reducing an amount of fluid or waterthat may seep into the gap 106 and exert a disruptive force upon themating 120 of the first and second ride surface portions (102, 104). Forexample, the additional fastening mechanism 110 may have all or aportion of its structure positioned beneath the plane 105, flush withthe plane 105, and/or above the plane 105. In one embodiment, theadditional fastening mechanism 110 may be a zipper. In an alternativeembodiment, the additional fastening mechanism 110 may be any of avariety of possible closure or fluid prevention elements. In stillanother alternative embodiment, no additional fastening mechanism 110may be desired.

The plurality of cut-outs 131 and/or extrusions 132 may extend any of avariety of distances or percentages of the total thickness 140 of theride surface portions (102, 104). For example, although two extrusions132 are used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, additional or fewerextrusions 132 may be used in an alternative embodiment. Likewise, thenumber of cut-outs 131 may be the same or different than the number ofextrusions 132 in alternative embodiments. Greater number of extrusions132 may extend further along the total thickness 140 of the ride surfaceportions (102, 104). Greater numbers of extrusions 132 and/or cut-outs131 that extend further along the total thickness 140 may providestronger connection capabilities, but at greater material ormanufacturing cost.

FIG. 2 similarly shows a cross-section of one embodiment of a ridesurface 200 that is constructed of a plurality of components. The ridesurface 200 may include features that are the same as or similar tothose previously discussed. For example, in one embodiment, the ridesurface 200 may be a surface configured to have a flow of water disposedthereon (e.g., above a plane 205) such that one or more riders mayperform water skimming or surfing maneuvers upon the ride surface 200and/or the flow of water. The ride surface may be fully or partiallyinflatable (e.g., made of a drop-stitch or other inflatable material)that may provide for additional comfort for a rider in the event thatthe rider loses balance and falls upon the ride surface 200. Analternative embodiment may be any form of surface that would benefitfrom a secure connection of one or more components while providingincreased durability or resistance to wear-and-tear, particularly from aflow of fluid that may be disposed thereon during operation.

As illustrated and similar to previous discussions, during manufactureand/or shipment, the ride surface 200 may initially be made up of aplurality of discrete components, for example, a first ride surfaceportion 202 and a second ride surface portion 204. During setup orinstallation of a water attraction, such as the previously mentionedsurfing attraction, the first ride surface portion 202 may be positionednear and/or adjacent to the second ride surface portion 204 in order toconstruct, once complete, a substantially contiguous and larger ridesurface 200 made up of both the first ride surface portion 202 and thesecond ride surface portion 204. A gap 206 may be present between thefirst ride surface portion 202 and the second ride surface portion 204as previously discussed.

Similar to features described in FIG. 1, the first ride surface portion202 includes one or more fastening elements that are disposed beneaththe plane 205. For example, either or both of the first and second ridesurface portions (202, 204) may be manufactured with a “cut-out” (e.g.,cut-out 231) and/or a corresponding extrusion (e.g., extrusion 232) at alevel beneath the plane 205, for example, that comprises a part of theirperimeter or top surfaces. Any of a variety of cut-outs andcorresponding extrusions may be used in varying embodiments. Theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 utilizes a greater number of cut-outs231 and extrusions 232 than were previously described for FIG. 1 and/orextend further along a total thickness 240 of the first ride surfaceportion 202 and/or the second ride surface portion 204. The cut-outs 231and/or extrusions 232 may be any of a variety of desired lengths,widths, and/or thicknesses (e.g., they may all be the same length,width, and/or thickness and/or may be different lengths, widths, and/orthicknesses when compared with one another).

In certain embodiments, as illustrated, an additional fasteningmechanism 210 may be provided over the gap 206 (or otherwise inalternative embodiments) to aid in reducing an amount of fluid or waterthat may seep into the gap 206 and exert a disruptive force upon themating 220 of the first and second ride surface portions (202, 204). Inone embodiment, the additional fastening mechanism 210 may be a flap(e.g., inflatable or otherwise) that is configured to extend from eitherthe first ride surface portion 202 and/or the second ride surfaceportion 204 and cover all or a portion of the gap 206. Extra fasteningelements may or may not be utilized in conjunction with the flap (e.g.,zippers, adhesives, snaps, buttons, etc.). The additional fasteningmechanism 210 (e.g., flap as shown) may be configured to lay in adirection substantially parallel with the expected flow of water (e.g.,may be shaped and/or connected with one or more components of the ridesurface 200 such that it is urged in its naturally laying direction whenpresented with the flow of water during operation. Such a configurationmay help in reducing wear and tear to the additional fastening mechanism210 (e.g., because it is being urged in its natural direction via thewater flow) and/or the underlying mating 220 within the gap 206.

In other embodiments, the additional fastening mechanism 210 may beconfigured to lay in alternative directions and/or may he shaped orconfigured to lay flush with adjacent fastening mechanisms and/or partscorresponding to other ride surface portions. In an alternativeembodiment, the additional fastening mechanism 210 may be any of avariety of possible closure or fluid prevention elements. In stillanother alternative embodiment, no additional fastening mechanism 210may be desired.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of a ride surface 300 of asurfing or other water or fluid attraction made up of a plurality ofcomponents. The ride surface 300 may include features that are the sameas or similar to those previously discussed. As illustrated, duringmanufacture and/or shipment, the ride surface 300 may initially be madeup of a plurality of discrete components, for example, a first ridesurface portion 302 and a second ride surface portion 304. During setupor installation of a water attraction, such as the previously mentionedsurfing attraction, the first ride surface portion 302 may be positionednear and/or adjacent to the second ride surface portion 304 in order toconstruct, once complete, a substantially contiguous and larger ridesurface 300. However, absent special manufacturing techniques (e.g.,melting or otherwise mixing of the two components), there exists a gap306 between the first ride surface portion 302 and the second ridesurface portion 304.

In one embodiment, the gap 306 may be filled with custom extrusionmaterial 303. In certain embodiments, this extrusion material 303 may bemade of flexible PVC, nylon, and/or any of a variety of other materials.The extrusion material 303 may be in the shape of an “I.” In someembodiments, the extrusion material 303 may be low in profile and/or allor some of the extrusion material 303 may be flush with and/or below aplane 305 ride surface portions (302, 304). In such embodiments, theextrusion material 303 may not interfere or may minimally interfere withrideability of the ride surface 300. The extrusion material 303 may beheavy in density and/or otherwise designed not to allow waterpenetrating into the gap 306, for example, by being shaped and/orconfigured to match the shape and/or configuration of the underlying gap306.

The extrusion material 303 may be fastened with either the first ridesurface portion 302 and/or the second ride surface portion 304 via avariety of possible connections. For example, the extrusion material 303may be held in place via adhesives, screws, bolts, Velcro, etc. Inanother example, the first ride surface portion 302 and/or the secondride surface portion 304 may hold the extrusion material 303 in placewithout additional material or component connections (e.g., the shape ofthe extrusion material 303 may cooperate or interface, such as viafriction, with a shape of the first ride surface portion 302 and/or thesecond ride surface portion 304 to remain in place. Fastening of theextrusion material 303 with one or more of the first ride surfaceportion 302 and/or the second ride surface portion 304 may occur at anyof below the plane 305, above the plane 305, and/or at the plane 305.Similar to previously discussions, additional fastening mechanisms(e.g., zippers, flaps, etc.) may additionally be used in an embodimentthat uses the extrusion material 303.

FIGS. 4 and 5 refer to another embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a ride surface 400 being pocketed or otherwisepartially or fully contained in a sheet 401. In one embodiment, thesheet 401 which may be made of vinyl. In alternative embodiments, othermaterials for the sheet 401 may be used. The ride surface 400 may sit ontop of a support or other surface 402. The sheet 401 may fasten to anyof a variety of substructure pieces (e.g., each substructure piece),including the support or other surface 402, by means of a chemical bond(e.g., glue, heat weld), or mechanical fastening (e.g., hook and/orloop), or both. In an alternative embodiment, other fastening mannersand/or components may be used.

As illustrated in FIG, 4, the ride surface 400 may be contained withinthe sheet 401 such that the sheet 401 may be removable and/orreplaceable. In this fashion, as the sheet 401 reaches the end of itsuseful life (e.g., for durability and/or war-and-tear purposes), thesheet 401 may be replaced without having to replace the underlying ridesurface 400. The sheet 401 may be made of a different material than theride surface 400. Moreover, the sheet 401 and/or the ride surface 400may be made of a different material than the support or other surface402.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section side view of FIG. 4 and shows theconnection of the sheet 401 with the support or other surface 402. Wateror other fluid may flow 405 from one end and encounter a rolled orotherwise curved portion of the sheet 401. The sheet 401 may beconnected with the support or other surface 402 at a location (e.g.,beneath) where the flow 405 is otherwise delivered to the sheet 401 inorder to reduce the impact the flow 405 may have upon the connectionseam or point 410. In certain embodiments, this may help increase thedurability of an attraction utilizing the features illustrated since afluid flow may significantly impact the durability of connection seamswhere two separate materials meet or are connected. For example, in theembodiment shown, the sheet 401 may mate with the support or othersurface 402 along a vertical surface or portion of the support or othersurface 402. In another embodiment, the connection of the sheet 401 withthe support or other surface 402 may be at any of a variety of desiredlocations and/or using a variety of possible connection mechanisms.

The previous description of the disclosed examples is provided to enableany person of ordinary skill in the art to make or use the disclosedmethods and apparatus. Accordingly, the terminology employed throughoutshould be read in a non-limiting manner. Various modifications to theseexamples will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and theprinciples defined herein may be applied to other examples withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the disclosed method andapparatus. The described embodiments are to be considered in allrespects only as illustrative and not restrictive and the scope of theinvention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than bythe foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within theirscope. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality invarying ways for each particular application, but such implementationdecisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from thescope of the disclosed apparatus and methods. The steps of the method oralgorithm may also be performed in an alternate order from thoseprovided in the examples.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for connecting a ride surface,comprising: a first ride surface portion; and a second ride surfaceportion, the second ride surface portion positioned adjacent the firstride surface portion, a flap configured to traverse over at least a partof the first surface portion and the second surface portion such thatthe flap is urged to lay against the first ride surface portion and thesecond ride surface portion during operation when presented with a flowof water and define a more smooth and continuous upper surface betweenthe first ride surface portion and second ride surface portion andreduce turbulence as compared to a mating junction between the firstride surface portion and the second ride surface portion without theflap.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first ride surface portionhas a first fastening element and the second ride surface portion has asecond fastening element, wherein the first fastening element isconfigured to attach to the second fastening element and couple thefirst ride surface portion to the second ride surface portion, whereinthe first fastening element and the second fastening element arepositioned below the flap.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the firstride surface portion comprises an extrusion with a first mating surface,and the second ride surface portion comprises a receptacle with a secondmating surface, the receptacle configured to receive at least a portionof the extrusion.
 4. The system of claim 2 wherein the first fasteningelement or the second fastening element is Velcro.
 5. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the first ride surface portion or the second ridesurface portion is made of a drop-stitch material.
 6. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the flap is configured to attach with the first ridesurface portion and the second ride surface portion.
 7. The system ofclaim 6 wherein the flap is configured to attach with the first ridesurface portion or the second ride surface portion via a zipper.
 8. Thesystem of claim 6 wherein the flap is configured to attach with thefirst ride surface portion or the second ride surface portion via aloop-and-pin closure.
 9. The system of claim 6 wherein the flap isconfigured to attach with the first ride surface portion or the secondride surface portion via an adhesive.
 10. The system of claim 1 whereinthe flap comprises: a first flap connected with the first ride surfaceportion and having a first fastening element; and a second flapconnected with the second ride surface portion and having a secondfastening element, wherein the first fastening element is configured tofasten with the second fastening element.
 11. The system of claim 10wherein the first fastening element or the second fastening element is azipper.
 12. The system of claim 10 wherein the first fastening elementor the second fastening element is a loop-and-pin closure.
 13. A waterride comprising: a first attraction component; a second attractioncomponent, wherein the first attraction component is adjacent to thesecond attraction component; a nozzle for providing a flow of water overthe first attraction component and the second attraction component; anda fastening mechanism extending over at least a portion of the firstattraction component and the second attraction component and defining asmoother and more continuous upper surface between the first attractioncomponent and second attraction component and reduce turbulence ascompared to a mating junction between the first attraction component andthe second attraction component without the fastening mechanism.
 14. Thewater ride of claim 13 wherein the first attraction component has afirst fastening element and the second attraction component has a secondfastening element, wherein the first fastening element is configured toattach to the second fastening element and couple the first attractioncomponent to the second attraction component, wherein the firstfastening element and the second fastening element are positioned belowthe fastening mechanism.
 15. The water ride of claim 13 wherein thefastening mechanism comprises a first mating surface and a second matingsurface configured to mate together for connecting the first attractioncomponent with the second attraction component.
 16. The water ride ofclaim 15 wherein the first mating surface and the second mating surfaceare configured to mate together when an extrusion of the first matingsurface is at least partially received by a receptacle of the secondmating surface for connecting the first attraction component with thesecond attraction component.
 17. The water ride of claim 13 wherein thefirst attraction component and the second attraction component form atleast a part of a ride surface for performing surfing tricks thereon.18. A system for a ride surface of a surfing attraction comprising: aride surface material; a sheet configured to surround at least a portionof the ride surface material; a water delivery component for providing aflow of water onto the sheet; and a support configured to mate with thesheet, wherein the flow of water is configured to flow over the sheetwithout making contact with the ride surface material.
 19. The system ofclaim 18 wherein the sheet fully encapsulates the ride surface material.20. The system of claim 19 wherein the sheet is configured to beremovable from the ride surface material for replacement of the sheet.